(CAMBRIA) A federal agency says a Cambria company has not implemented any of the safety measures it ordered following a deadly explosion. Five people died and 14 were hurt in the 2017 blast at the Didion Milling corn plant.
Authorities say the company’s operations created dust hazards which caused the explosion. Following years of investigation, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard investigation Board gave Didion nine safety recommendations. Federal officials say the company has not followed any and Didion leaders are ignoring their calls.
According to reports, Didion President Riley Didion says the company’s lawyers have responded to OSHA about safety changes and that addressed the Chemical Safety Board’s issues.
The Board’s chairperson says the only path forward is for Didion to “respond constructively and take action toward implementing these recommendations.” If they don’t, the CSB will close the case.
The company had previously agreed to pay $1.8-million to OSHA, and $10-million to the families of workers killed. At least six Didion staff were convicted of crimes related to the explosion, three of them were given jail time.
